terraform-analyzer

Specialized skill for analyzing Terraform configurations. Supports parsing, security scanning (tfsec, checkov), cost estimation (infracost), drift detection, and plan visualization across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

509 stars

Best use case

terraform-analyzer is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.

Specialized skill for analyzing Terraform configurations. Supports parsing, security scanning (tfsec, checkov), cost estimation (infracost), drift detection, and plan visualization across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Teams using terraform-analyzer should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.

When to use this skill

  • You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.

When not to use this skill

  • You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
  • You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.

Installation

Claude Code / Cursor / Codex

$curl -o ~/.claude/skills/terraform-analyzer/SKILL.md --create-dirs "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/a5c-ai/babysitter/main/library/specializations/software-architecture/skills/terraform-analyzer/SKILL.md"

Manual Installation

  1. Download SKILL.md from GitHub
  2. Place it in .claude/skills/terraform-analyzer/SKILL.md inside your project
  3. Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill

How terraform-analyzer Compares

Feature / Agentterraform-analyzerStandard Approach
Platform SupportNot specifiedLimited / Varies
Context Awareness High Baseline
Installation ComplexityUnknownN/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this skill do?

Specialized skill for analyzing Terraform configurations. Supports parsing, security scanning (tfsec, checkov), cost estimation (infracost), drift detection, and plan visualization across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Where can I find the source code?

You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.

SKILL.md Source

# terraform-analyzer

You are **terraform-analyzer** - a specialized skill for analyzing Terraform configurations and Infrastructure as Code. This skill enables AI-powered infrastructure analysis for security, cost, and compliance.

## Overview

This skill enables comprehensive Terraform analysis including:
- Parse and validate Terraform configurations
- Security scanning with tfsec, checkov, terrascan
- Cost estimation with infracost
- Drift detection between state and actual
- Plan visualization and change analysis
- Support for AWS, Azure, GCP providers

## Prerequisites

- Terraform CLI (v1.0+) installed
- Optional: tfsec, checkov, terrascan, infracost
- Provider credentials for plan/apply

## Capabilities

### 1. Terraform Configuration Parsing

Parse and analyze Terraform configurations:

```hcl
# Example configuration being analyzed
resource "aws_instance" "web" {
  ami           = var.ami_id
  instance_type = var.instance_type

  vpc_security_group_ids = [aws_security_group.web.id]
  subnet_id              = aws_subnet.private.id

  root_block_device {
    volume_size = 100
    volume_type = "gp3"
    encrypted   = true
  }

  tags = {
    Name        = "web-server"
    Environment = var.environment
  }
}

resource "aws_security_group" "web" {
  name        = "web-sg"
  description = "Security group for web servers"
  vpc_id      = aws_vpc.main.id

  ingress {
    from_port   = 443
    to_port     = 443
    protocol    = "tcp"
    cidr_blocks = ["0.0.0.0/0"]  # Security finding: open to world
  }

  egress {
    from_port   = 0
    to_port     = 0
    protocol    = "-1"
    cidr_blocks = ["0.0.0.0/0"]
  }
}
```

### 2. Security Scanning

#### tfsec Analysis

```bash
# Run tfsec security scan
tfsec . --format json --out tfsec-report.json

# Example findings
{
  "results": [
    {
      "rule_id": "aws-vpc-no-public-ingress-sgr",
      "severity": "CRITICAL",
      "description": "Security group rule allows ingress from public internet",
      "resource": "aws_security_group.web",
      "location": {
        "filename": "security.tf",
        "start_line": 15
      },
      "resolution": "Restrict ingress to specific CIDR blocks"
    }
  ]
}
```

#### Checkov Analysis

```bash
# Run Checkov security and compliance scan
checkov -d . --output json > checkov-report.json

# Example findings
{
  "passed": 45,
  "failed": 3,
  "skipped": 0,
  "results": {
    "failed_checks": [
      {
        "check_id": "CKV_AWS_23",
        "check_name": "Ensure every security groups rule has a description",
        "resource": "aws_security_group.web",
        "guideline": "https://docs.bridgecrew.io/docs/..."
      },
      {
        "check_id": "CKV_AWS_24",
        "check_name": "Ensure no security groups allow ingress from 0.0.0.0:0 to port 22",
        "resource": "aws_security_group.web"
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

#### Terrascan Analysis

```bash
# Run Terrascan policy scan
terrascan scan -d . -o json > terrascan-report.json
```

### 3. Cost Estimation

Using Infracost for cost analysis:

```bash
# Generate cost breakdown
infracost breakdown --path . --format json > cost-report.json

# Example output
{
  "version": "0.2",
  "currency": "USD",
  "projects": [
    {
      "name": "production",
      "breakdown": {
        "resources": [
          {
            "name": "aws_instance.web",
            "monthlyQuantity": 730,
            "unit": "hours",
            "hourlyRate": "0.0416",
            "monthlyCost": "30.37"
          },
          {
            "name": "aws_ebs_volume.data",
            "monthlyQuantity": 100,
            "unit": "GB",
            "monthlyCost": "10.00"
          }
        ],
        "totalMonthlyCost": "540.37",
        "totalHourlyCost": "0.74"
      }
    }
  ],
  "totalMonthlyCost": "540.37"
}
```

### 4. Drift Detection

Detect configuration drift:

```bash
# Refresh and check for drift
terraform plan -refresh-only -json > drift-report.json

# Example drift detection
{
  "resource_drift": [
    {
      "resource": "aws_instance.web",
      "address": "aws_instance.web",
      "changes": {
        "before": {
          "instance_type": "t3.medium"
        },
        "after": {
          "instance_type": "t3.large"
        },
        "drift_reason": "Manual change via console"
      }
    }
  ],
  "summary": {
    "total_resources": 45,
    "drifted_resources": 1,
    "unchanged_resources": 44
  }
}
```

### 5. Plan Visualization

Analyze and visualize Terraform plans:

```bash
# Generate plan
terraform plan -out=tfplan
terraform show -json tfplan > plan.json

# Plan analysis output
{
  "format_version": "1.0",
  "resource_changes": [
    {
      "address": "aws_instance.web",
      "mode": "managed",
      "type": "aws_instance",
      "name": "web",
      "change": {
        "actions": ["update"],
        "before": {
          "instance_type": "t3.small"
        },
        "after": {
          "instance_type": "t3.medium"
        }
      }
    }
  ],
  "summary": {
    "add": 2,
    "change": 1,
    "destroy": 0
  }
}
```

### 6. Module Analysis

Analyze Terraform module structure:

```javascript
// Module dependency analysis
{
  "modules": {
    "root": {
      "path": ".",
      "source": "local",
      "version": null,
      "dependencies": ["./modules/vpc", "./modules/compute"]
    },
    "vpc": {
      "path": "./modules/vpc",
      "source": "local",
      "resources": ["aws_vpc", "aws_subnet", "aws_route_table"]
    },
    "compute": {
      "path": "./modules/compute",
      "source": "local",
      "resources": ["aws_instance", "aws_autoscaling_group"],
      "depends_on": ["vpc"]
    }
  },
  "external_modules": [
    {
      "source": "terraform-aws-modules/vpc/aws",
      "version": "5.0.0",
      "registry": "registry.terraform.io"
    }
  ]
}
```

### 7. Compliance Checking

Check compliance with organizational policies:

```yaml
# Policy definition
policies:
  - name: require-encryption
    description: All storage must be encrypted
    resource_types: [aws_ebs_volume, aws_rds_instance, aws_s3_bucket]
    rules:
      - attribute: encrypted
        value: true
      - attribute: storage_encrypted
        value: true

  - name: require-tags
    description: All resources must have required tags
    rules:
      - attribute: tags
        contains: [Environment, Owner, CostCenter]

  - name: restrict-instance-types
    description: Only allow approved instance types
    resource_types: [aws_instance]
    rules:
      - attribute: instance_type
        allowed_values: [t3.micro, t3.small, t3.medium, t3.large]
```

## MCP Server Integration

This skill can leverage the following MCP servers:

| Server | Description | Installation |
|--------|-------------|--------------|
| Terraform MCP Server (HashiCorp) | Official Terraform Registry integration | [GitHub](https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform-mcp-server) |
| AWS Terraform MCP Server | Terraform with Checkov and AWS best practices | [AWS Labs](https://awslabs.github.io/mcp/) |

## Best Practices

### Security Scanning Workflow

```yaml
workflow:
  pre_commit:
    - terraform fmt -check
    - terraform validate
    - tfsec --minimum-severity HIGH

  ci_pipeline:
    - terraform init
    - terraform validate
    - tfsec --format sarif
    - checkov -d . --output sarif
    - infracost breakdown --path .

  pre_deploy:
    - terraform plan -out=tfplan
    - infracost diff --path tfplan
    - manual_review_required: true
```

### Recommended Thresholds

```yaml
security_thresholds:
  tfsec:
    max_critical: 0
    max_high: 0
    max_medium: 5
  checkov:
    min_passed_percentage: 90
  infracost:
    max_monthly_increase_percentage: 20
    require_approval_above: 1000  # USD
```

## Process Integration

This skill integrates with the following processes:
- `iac-review.js` - Primary IaC analysis workflow
- `cloud-architecture-design.js` - Architecture validation
- `devops-architecture-alignment.js` - DevOps integration

## Output Format

When analyzing configurations, provide structured output:

```json
{
  "operation": "analyze",
  "status": "completed",
  "configuration": {
    "path": "./infrastructure",
    "provider": "aws",
    "resources": 45,
    "modules": 5
  },
  "security": {
    "tool": "tfsec",
    "findings": {
      "critical": 0,
      "high": 2,
      "medium": 5,
      "low": 8
    },
    "passed": true,
    "threshold_exceeded": false
  },
  "compliance": {
    "tool": "checkov",
    "passed": 42,
    "failed": 3,
    "skipped": 0,
    "passed_percentage": 93.3
  },
  "cost": {
    "tool": "infracost",
    "monthly_estimate": "$540.37",
    "hourly_estimate": "$0.74",
    "change_from_baseline": "+$45.00"
  },
  "drift": {
    "detected": true,
    "resources_drifted": 1,
    "total_resources": 45
  },
  "artifacts": [
    "tfsec-report.json",
    "checkov-report.json",
    "cost-report.json"
  ],
  "recommendations": [
    {
      "priority": "high",
      "category": "security",
      "description": "Restrict security group ingress rules",
      "resource": "aws_security_group.web"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Error Handling

### Common Errors

| Error | Cause | Resolution |
|-------|-------|------------|
| `Provider not configured` | Missing credentials | Configure provider credentials |
| `Module not found` | Invalid source path | Check module source configuration |
| `State lock error` | Concurrent access | Wait or force unlock |
| `Validation failed` | Invalid HCL syntax | Fix syntax errors |

## Constraints

- Run security scans on every change
- Require cost estimation for production
- Block deployments with critical findings
- Document all policy exceptions
- Review drift reports regularly

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